Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Monday of the seventh week of Easter, May 18th, 2026

Delivered by Vici from the Parish of Saint John the Baptist in the Archdiocese of Makassar, Indonesia. Acts of the Apostles 19: 1-8; Rs psalm 68: 2-3.4-5ac.6-7b; John 16: 29-33.THE HOLY SPIRIT HELPS US TO CARRY THE CROSS The theme for our meditation today is: The Holy SpiritHelps Us to Carry the Cross. A student asked his teacher in one the religionclasses: "We are in the Easter season and awaiting with joy of the comingof the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, but why is our lesson about thecross and the suffering? Where's the joy here, Miss?" The lady teacher responded him by using the analogy ofa pregnant mother. This coincided with the boy’s mother who was pregnant withher second child which was a daughter. "All of you at home are happilywaiting for your sister's birth, right? That is the good news. But your mothercarries a heavy burden every day, and it will be more painful during the birthof your sister. All of these are about the cross and suffering. But after thebirth of your sister, your family will be happier than you are now." The boy was quiet and agreed with his teacher. We allalso agree that the Lord gives every one of us the cross according to one's ownability, and this is indeed a burden that one should carry. We must carry itevery day, and when time comes, we will rejoice because the cross gives usconfidence to achieve happiness in God. At the end of suffering and the crossthere is happiness which is already promised by the Lord. The Holy Spirit has a duty to teach us in all truth.One of the elements of this truth is the cross. What we mean by the truth ofthe cross is that our suffering and sorrow with Jesus Christ become ourjustification, because through this cross we are freed from sin and we areallowed to enter into the glory of God. The cross is a victory and glory aswell. We should not see it as a futile suffering, foolishness or a scandal.Jesus had taken up the cross and with that He conquered the world. So we don'thave to worry or be ashamed of the cross. Jesus gives us the best gift, namely His own Spiritand this means that we are baptized in the Holy Spirit. We have all receivedthe Holy Spirit through the sacrament of Baptism. The person named Apollos andhis friends, stated in the first reading today, received the same gift of theSpirit that enabled them to do the evangelization of the Early Church withgreat success. This Spirit filled experience then followed by the laying on ofhands to signify the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation that makes aperson fully anointed with Holy Spirit. We the followers of Christ and membersof the one Church will renew the moment of the outpouring of the Holy Spiritupon us on the Day of Pentecost which is to be celebrated coming Sunday. The Holy Spirit indeed makes us able to face manyobstacles and difficulties already waiting for us. The Holy Spirit is presentwith us and always accompanies us as we each carry our own cross. It is thesame Holy Spirit who remains with us in all our joy and success, after weendure the difficulties and sufferings that come along our journey in thislife.Let'spray. In the name of the Father ... God the almighty Father, may we remain inthe hope and zeal to welcome your Holy Spirit, and we thank you for Jesus yourSon as our only way to come to You. Hail Mary, full of grace ... In the name ofthe Father ...